A Palestinian displaced by Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip arrives at a temporary tent camp near Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah, Jan 14, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

JERUSALEM - Israel on Sunday declared the Kerem Shalom crossing, the sole open passage between Israel and the Gaza Strip, "a closed military zone" in response to Israeli protesters' attempts to block it and hinder aid trucks from entering the besieged enclave of Gaza.

In an official statement, the army said that overnight, "the commander of the Southern Command signed an order to implement a closed military zone in the area of the Kerem Shalom crossing." The action was taken after a "situation assessment," the army noted.

A police spokesperson told Xinhua that about 150 protesters reached the crossing by walking through fields to circumvent newly established military checkpoints designed to prevent their access

The order came in response to a decision by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Friday, which required Israel to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The Palestinian enclave has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis resulting from months-long Israeli bombardments.

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Last week, protesters, including members of Tzav 9, a group predominantly comprising right-wing activists from West Bank settlements, along with some relatives of hostages held in Gaza, successfully blocked the crossing for three consecutive days.

On Sunday morning, the activists returned, urging the Israeli government to halt aid shipments to Gaza to exert pressure on Hamas to release the hostages, according to a statement released by Tzav 9. The group released video footage showing clashes between protesters and the Israeli police while aid trucks were seen in the back passing into Gaza.

A police spokesperson told Xinhua that about 150 protesters reached the crossing by walking through fields to circumvent newly established military checkpoints designed to prevent their access.